New Fairfield passes school, town budgets

Libor Jany

Updated 11:52 pm, Sunday, April 28, 2013

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The voteNew Fairfield voters approved $51.95 million budget for the next fiscal year. The tax rate will rise 0.98 mills and taxes will increase nearly 4 percent. The town's budget is $11.68 million, and the schools' budget is $40.27 million. Yes NoTown 816 686School 825 682

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NEW FAIRFIELD -- Taxes will increase nearly 4 percent after residents Saturday approved a $51.95 million budget -- $40.27 million for schools and $11.68 million for the town.

The results did not come as a surprise to many voters. This was the ninth time in the last decade the budget has passed on the first ballot.

"I think the fact the budget has been approved eight years in a row is confirmation that, by and large, our residents are happy with the path that the town and the Board of Education are taking," First Selectman John Hodge said. "It's really just that simple."

The town's tax rate will rise 0.98 mills in fiscal year 2013-14 from 24.66 mills to 25.64 mills. Consequently, taxes on a home assessed at $250,000 will increase from $6,165 to $6,410, an increase of 3.97 percent.

Voter turnout this year was "a little heavier. Roughly about 100 to 125 more people compared to last year," Hodge said.

The first selectman said the town budget was approved, 816-686. The school budget passed by a slightly larger margin, 825-682.

"Certainly, on the town side, it means that we're going to be able to maintain all of the services that they've gotten accustomed to," Hodge said. "It will allow us to continue on our road replacement program of about eight miles a year. And they need to know that it's a responsible budget."

Under the new budget, pensions will be fully protected, Hodge said. The budget allocates funds for a new front-end loader and a drop in interest rates for the fund balance accounts, he said.

"It's those kinds of practices that have been recognized by outside agencies and have allowed us to retain a AAA bond rating," he said.